Avs have another donut

When a bad call goes against your team, of course that’s the only reason why they lost the game. Referees, naturally, are great lightning rods on which to focus one’s anger at a loss.
And, make no mistake, our fair-haired boys were the victims of a horrible call tonight by Don “Have another donut, you fat pig” Koharski.

Ryan Smyth gets pushed into the goalie – and barely touched the goalie anyway – and gets called for goalie interference, thereby nullifying Milan Hejduk’s third goal of the night and causing lots of fans to lose their hats for nothing.

It was a crazy call, no question about it. But let’s face it: our lads are a loser’s bunch right now, and one bad call should not be used as a mask for the dismal reality of this team.

The Avs are basically a two-thirds line team right now. Milan Hejduk and Smitty are the only ones consistently bringing it every night. The rest are trying, but…nothing’s happening. Let’s get the caveat out of the way first, when discussing this collapsing souffle: the Avs are an injury-plagued team, missing its top two centers, promising rookie winger and a top-2 defenseman.

That said, the criticisms I’ve had all year long of this edition of the Burgundy and Blue remain: Management screwed up when it let its veteran, former Hart Trophy-winning goalie (Jose Theodore) go for nothing, lost a lot of on-ice and locker-room leadership disappear for nothing (Andrew Brunette) and did not adequately address what previously were significant shortcomings (reliable third-line center and adjacent penalty-killing help).

Tonight, we had a goalie (Andrew Raycroft) give up seven goals against the team that bought his contract out to rid themselves of him. He was, in essense, the replacement for Theodore. You had a guy named Darcy Tucker go pointless in an 11-goal game against his former team, which also bought out his contract to rid themselves of him. This is the guy who was said to be the answer to the loss of Brunette.

Then, we had the third-line center, Tyler Arnason, go through his usual pointless night. I don’t enjoy saying this, really, because I’ve always found Arnason to be a decent guy when I’ve talked to him. But it needs to be said: whatever line Arnason is centering should be nicknamed the “Donut Line”, because he’s the hole in the middle. It’s just beyond the point of reason anymore with his situation.

Tony Granato seems like a guy out of ideas with trying to fix things. What I mean by that is, he could use a good idea, for the first time in a while, from his front office. Francois Giguere, Michel Goulet, Greg Sherman, et. al, sit up in their suite every night watching all this, but as of this writing there still has not been a single trade all season.

Something should happen soon I think. I still totally believe a defenseman is going to be dealt for some kind of forward help, and one of those D-men will be named Clark, Leopold or Salei.
Clark is my bet, but his contract could be a hindrance. As much as I admire Clarkie for sticking his body in front of every shot, he’s been a disappointment offensively and there just seems to be too many of his kind already on the blue line.
I think another overlooked thing about this team is the fact that it’s not big enough. Anybody who watched San Jose totally manhandle this team the other night couldn’t help but be struck at how much smaller the Avs seemed than them. This team needs to get bigger and badder, up front and on the blue line.

And they need another goalie. I still haven’t gotten a good explanation from anybody why a team that overpaid and tolerated and nurtured and finally rehabilitated a goalie (Theodore) back to his old self suddenly got all concerned about a million dollars a year – the amount over a two-year deal it would have taken to keep him – and cut him loose.

Avalanche fans are paying the second-highest average ticket prices in the NHL. (Don’t let management’s funny math fool you on this).

And, dollars to donuts, that money should have gone to guys who actually did something for this team.

Oh god, it’s very painful every time I hear about Brunette and Theodore. I honestly thought both would be re-signed, and the boys in burgundy would be competing for the NW division right about now.

Instead, the best this team can hope for is drafting a good prospect, and hoping captain Joe Sakic graces us with his presence for one more season.

James

Oh god, it’s very painful every time I hear about Brunette and Theodore. I honestly thought both would be re-signed, and the boys in burgundy would be competing for the NW division right about now.

Instead, the best this team can hope for is drafting a good prospect, and hoping captain Joe Sakic graces us with his presence for one more season.

Tucker

All agreed Adrian. I just hope this gets fixed soon. We just need a solid rebuild, not this tape job half rebuild robot that is deteriorating before our eyes. FG will be fired, as well Tony. Kroenke is not a stupid owner. He wants wins.

Tucker

All agreed Adrian. I just hope this gets fixed soon. We just need a solid rebuild, not this tape job half rebuild robot that is deteriorating before our eyes. FG will be fired, as well Tony. Kroenke is not a stupid owner. He wants wins.

Evan

Agreed. I say we snatch up Khabibulin, build up a tough and big defense and have 2 great lines. Get rid of wasteful players such as Arnason, Tucker, and Clark and then go from there. Tonight was a horrible game to watch and it seems that only 4 players on the team are playing with emotion and intensity. The first being Hejduk. There have been rumors that he might be traded, but I DO NOT want to see him leave the team because of the lack of scoring for this team. He is too valuable.

Evan

Agreed. I say we snatch up Khabibulin, build up a tough and big defense and have 2 great lines. Get rid of wasteful players such as Arnason, Tucker, and Clark and then go from there. Tonight was a horrible game to watch and it seems that only 4 players on the team are playing with emotion and intensity. The first being Hejduk. There have been rumors that he might be traded, but I DO NOT want to see him leave the team because of the lack of scoring for this team. He is too valuable.

das

hey Dater,
most of this blog post i agree with whole heartedly!! the loss of bruno was a loss for the team. although i belive that he was on his way out the door no matter what management did last season.
the point that you keep eluding to is that there was a great loss in theodore??? huh …. he had one good run of 4 or 5 games in the playoffs in a 4 year contract and now hes the martered hero that the team should have kept? my opinion ..no!! theo may be playing somewhat well now and while i am not in the least impressed with the current goal tending situation for the avs. theo was not and is not the answer or the “would be” savior in goal.
this team needs changes galore… and it starts all the way at the top!! one thing that has always bothered me about this team is the speak no evil mentality. for gods sake critisize the team ,the officiating,anything…it may make them better?! it couldn’t hurt?! at least the fans will see an effort that management and coaching staff is interested in the game and the team (i know there is a fine that may be imposed , but come on take one for the team!! may just solidify the team into a team)…it may also bode better for the fed up fan base that is sick of the rose colored glasses look at the game.
another point of contention : make a trade or ten to improve the team. key word “improve!” arnie,svats,clark,tucker,boods,razor are amongst the few of the many that either have to step up or step out. i’m choosing the later of the two. at least at this point of the season.
here’s to hoping for a closed locker room metting to light the fire, changes or both… a bit disheartening seeing the team struggling towards the bottom of the pool in the western conference

das

hey Dater,
most of this blog post i agree with whole heartedly!! the loss of bruno was a loss for the team. although i belive that he was on his way out the door no matter what management did last season.
the point that you keep eluding to is that there was a great loss in theodore??? huh …. he had one good run of 4 or 5 games in the playoffs in a 4 year contract and now hes the martered hero that the team should have kept? my opinion ..no!! theo may be playing somewhat well now and while i am not in the least impressed with the current goal tending situation for the avs. theo was not and is not the answer or the “would be” savior in goal.
this team needs changes galore… and it starts all the way at the top!! one thing that has always bothered me about this team is the speak no evil mentality. for gods sake critisize the team ,the officiating,anything…it may make them better?! it couldn’t hurt?! at least the fans will see an effort that management and coaching staff is interested in the game and the team (i know there is a fine that may be imposed , but come on take one for the team!! may just solidify the team into a team)…it may also bode better for the fed up fan base that is sick of the rose colored glasses look at the game.
another point of contention : make a trade or ten to improve the team. key word “improve!” arnie,svats,clark,tucker,boods,razor are amongst the few of the many that either have to step up or step out. i’m choosing the later of the two. at least at this point of the season.
here’s to hoping for a closed locker room metting to light the fire, changes or both… a bit disheartening seeing the team struggling towards the bottom of the pool in the western conference

Drizzt

Awesome write up AD. Fax it to FG. I’m impressed. As a writer in Australia who is asked to write pieces on certain subjects, I agree you have hit the nail on the head.

BUT, you need to get answers from the people that matter here. You have FG’s number mate. Get on the blower, and ask the questions thousands of Avs fans want to hear.

It’s times like these that could create a huge fan base for yourself. Embrace the present, live the fruits of the future my friend.

Drizzt

Awesome write up AD. Fax it to FG. I’m impressed. As a writer in Australia who is asked to write pieces on certain subjects, I agree you have hit the nail on the head.

BUT, you need to get answers from the people that matter here. You have FG’s number mate. Get on the blower, and ask the questions thousands of Avs fans want to hear.

It’s times like these that could create a huge fan base for yourself. Embrace the present, live the fruits of the future my friend.

Drizzt

Awesome write up AD. Fax it to FG. I’m impressed. As a writer in Australia who is asked to write pieces on certain subjects, I agree you have hit the nail on the head.

BUT, you need to get answers from the people that matter here. You have FG’s number mate. Get on the blower, and ask the questions thousands of Avs fans want to hear.

It’s times like these that could create a huge fan base for yourself. Embrace the present, live the fruits of the future my friend.

Jared

i started digging at the beginning of the season. i finally got to 6 feet and my hopes for this team are laid out and ready to be buried. thanks FG

Jared

i started digging at the beginning of the season. i finally got to 6 feet and my hopes for this team are laid out and ready to be buried. thanks FG

Jared

i started digging at the beginning of the season. i finally got to 6 feet and my hopes for this team are laid out and ready to be buried. thanks FG

al

The Donut Line, because there’s a hole in the middle. That’s genius!

The only part I disagree with is Theodore. I’m glad they let him walk. Everything else is spot on. Something does need to change, and since FG is unwilling to do anything, he should be the first to go.

al

The Donut Line, because there’s a hole in the middle. That’s genius!

The only part I disagree with is Theodore. I’m glad they let him walk. Everything else is spot on. Something does need to change, and since FG is unwilling to do anything, he should be the first to go.

al

The Donut Line, because there’s a hole in the middle. That’s genius!

The only part I disagree with is Theodore. I’m glad they let him walk. Everything else is spot on. Something does need to change, and since FG is unwilling to do anything, he should be the first to go.

Michelle

“Avalanche fans are paying the second-highest average ticket prices in the NHL.”

Adrian, do you have any stats as to how many seats are going unsold per game? I’m seeing a lot more of those special promos (2 tickets, 2 pepsis, etc…) than normal. Several times I’ve looked at Ticketmaster to get unsold seats, and not only are there a bunch unsold whenever I’ve looked (even the day before the game), but we’ve neglected to buy any tickets because they’re too high priced. Even people on Craigslist are asking stupid prices for tickets (they’re hoping to get close to face value I’m guessing, even though that won’t happen…).

Michelle

“Avalanche fans are paying the second-highest average ticket prices in the NHL.”

Adrian, do you have any stats as to how many seats are going unsold per game? I’m seeing a lot more of those special promos (2 tickets, 2 pepsis, etc…) than normal. Several times I’ve looked at Ticketmaster to get unsold seats, and not only are there a bunch unsold whenever I’ve looked (even the day before the game), but we’ve neglected to buy any tickets because they’re too high priced. Even people on Craigslist are asking stupid prices for tickets (they’re hoping to get close to face value I’m guessing, even though that won’t happen…).

Michelle

“Avalanche fans are paying the second-highest average ticket prices in the NHL.”

Adrian, do you have any stats as to how many seats are going unsold per game? I’m seeing a lot more of those special promos (2 tickets, 2 pepsis, etc…) than normal. Several times I’ve looked at Ticketmaster to get unsold seats, and not only are there a bunch unsold whenever I’ve looked (even the day before the game), but we’ve neglected to buy any tickets because they’re too high priced. Even people on Craigslist are asking stupid prices for tickets (they’re hoping to get close to face value I’m guessing, even though that won’t happen…).

j.

I felt like this was the real-deal test for Andrew Raycroft and he failed it miserably.

To say:

“It’s not the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals to me, but it’s probably a little more special to me personally.”

And go out and give up 7 goals speaks alot.

Raycroft can’t lead this team and this team can’t stand up for Raycroft.

At least with Roy, the old Montreal games had a bit of a playoff feel to them… these past few years with Theodore and now Raycroft have been shinny, where everybody runs up the score and nobody plays defense.

FG needs to stir the pot or get out because NOTHING he has done has improved this team from where it was last year.

We have two goalies that have proven they can’t handle the responsibility of being a #1 goaltender; a defense that looks good on paper but can’t: a) clear the puck out when it needs to and b) lets other teams into the zone like it’s Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey; and to top it all off the pp and pk still stink. And let’s not forget about the injuries!

The thing that irks me the most, is that everyone in the organization seems to be content with this mediocre excuse of a team.

I keep hearing praise for Tony Granato keeping this team competing through the injuries, but wasn’t that the same story last year?

What I don’t understand, is why was this team so willing to throw Bob Hartley and Joel Quenneville under the bus and yet perfectly happy to give 9-lives-Granato fifty more chances?

Something needs to change on this team and it’ll be interesting to see what. Maybe a trade will get them going, but I can’t help but feel skeptical. Either way, It’s time for FG to wake this team up.

j.

I felt like this was the real-deal test for Andrew Raycroft and he failed it miserably.

To say:

“It’s not the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals to me, but it’s probably a little more special to me personally.”

And go out and give up 7 goals speaks alot.

Raycroft can’t lead this team and this team can’t stand up for Raycroft.

At least with Roy, the old Montreal games had a bit of a playoff feel to them… these past few years with Theodore and now Raycroft have been shinny, where everybody runs up the score and nobody plays defense.

FG needs to stir the pot or get out because NOTHING he has done has improved this team from where it was last year.

We have two goalies that have proven they can’t handle the responsibility of being a #1 goaltender; a defense that looks good on paper but can’t: a) clear the puck out when it needs to and b) lets other teams into the zone like it’s Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey; and to top it all off the pp and pk still stink. And let’s not forget about the injuries!

The thing that irks me the most, is that everyone in the organization seems to be content with this mediocre excuse of a team.

I keep hearing praise for Tony Granato keeping this team competing through the injuries, but wasn’t that the same story last year?

What I don’t understand, is why was this team so willing to throw Bob Hartley and Joel Quenneville under the bus and yet perfectly happy to give 9-lives-Granato fifty more chances?

Something needs to change on this team and it’ll be interesting to see what. Maybe a trade will get them going, but I can’t help but feel skeptical. Either way, It’s time for FG to wake this team up.

j.

I felt like this was the real-deal test for Andrew Raycroft and he failed it miserably.

To say:

“It’s not the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals to me, but it’s probably a little more special to me personally.”

And go out and give up 7 goals speaks alot.

Raycroft can’t lead this team and this team can’t stand up for Raycroft.

At least with Roy, the old Montreal games had a bit of a playoff feel to them… these past few years with Theodore and now Raycroft have been shinny, where everybody runs up the score and nobody plays defense.

FG needs to stir the pot or get out because NOTHING he has done has improved this team from where it was last year.

We have two goalies that have proven they can’t handle the responsibility of being a #1 goaltender; a defense that looks good on paper but can’t: a) clear the puck out when it needs to and b) lets other teams into the zone like it’s Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey; and to top it all off the pp and pk still stink. And let’s not forget about the injuries!

The thing that irks me the most, is that everyone in the organization seems to be content with this mediocre excuse of a team.

I keep hearing praise for Tony Granato keeping this team competing through the injuries, but wasn’t that the same story last year?

What I don’t understand, is why was this team so willing to throw Bob Hartley and Joel Quenneville under the bus and yet perfectly happy to give 9-lives-Granato fifty more chances?

Something needs to change on this team and it’ll be interesting to see what. Maybe a trade will get them going, but I can’t help but feel skeptical. Either way, It’s time for FG to wake this team up.

Johnny D

Make no mistakes, Pierre Lacroix is a fat cat sitting up in his ivory tower. He has his Stanley Cups and is content. He needs to fire Giguere who is nothing more than a salary cap numbers guy. He was a comptroller in his younger days with the Nordiques. Fire F.G. and the ENTIRE coaching staff and start anew with guys that have passion for hockey. Quinn, Burns, Robinson, Dale Hunter, Tortorella, take your pick. Injuries aside this team isn’t bad up front with maybe the addtion of a checking 3rd line center but they need a bonifide goalie and stud d-man.

Johnny D

Make no mistakes, Pierre Lacroix is a fat cat sitting up in his ivory tower. He has his Stanley Cups and is content. He needs to fire Giguere who is nothing more than a salary cap numbers guy. He was a comptroller in his younger days with the Nordiques. Fire F.G. and the ENTIRE coaching staff and start anew with guys that have passion for hockey. Quinn, Burns, Robinson, Dale Hunter, Tortorella, take your pick. Injuries aside this team isn’t bad up front with maybe the addtion of a checking 3rd line center but they need a bonifide goalie and stud d-man.

Johnny D

Make no mistakes, Pierre Lacroix is a fat cat sitting up in his ivory tower. He has his Stanley Cups and is content. He needs to fire Giguere who is nothing more than a salary cap numbers guy. He was a comptroller in his younger days with the Nordiques. Fire F.G. and the ENTIRE coaching staff and start anew with guys that have passion for hockey. Quinn, Burns, Robinson, Dale Hunter, Tortorella, take your pick. Injuries aside this team isn’t bad up front with maybe the addtion of a checking 3rd line center but they need a bonifide goalie and stud d-man.

j.

Hey AD,

Is it true Forsberg announced he’s only playing for Modo this year ? I wonder if he saw last night’s game… lol

j.

Hey AD,

Is it true Forsberg announced he’s only playing for Modo this year ? I wonder if he saw last night’s game… lol

j.

Hey AD,

Is it true Forsberg announced he’s only playing for Modo this year ? I wonder if he saw last night’s game… lol

Gino

A.D. Thanks for telling it like it is, it’s nice to see someone actually call a spade a spade when it comes to the Av’s. I just moved out of Denver a few weeks ago so now I have the opportunity to watch the games on “out-of-market” stations and it’s amazing how the other side actually will be critical of both their team and the Av’s. Kudos to the Toronto announcers last night who said of the Smyth call, “I didn’t see anything there.” Also, they blasted the play of Clark and Raycroft and even of Toskala (GASP!) … if the “house station” guys would have done that, they would be fired this morning. Keep it real!

Gino

A.D. Thanks for telling it like it is, it’s nice to see someone actually call a spade a spade when it comes to the Av’s. I just moved out of Denver a few weeks ago so now I have the opportunity to watch the games on “out-of-market” stations and it’s amazing how the other side actually will be critical of both their team and the Av’s. Kudos to the Toronto announcers last night who said of the Smyth call, “I didn’t see anything there.” Also, they blasted the play of Clark and Raycroft and even of Toskala (GASP!) … if the “house station” guys would have done that, they would be fired this morning. Keep it real!

Gino

A.D. Thanks for telling it like it is, it’s nice to see someone actually call a spade a spade when it comes to the Av’s. I just moved out of Denver a few weeks ago so now I have the opportunity to watch the games on “out-of-market” stations and it’s amazing how the other side actually will be critical of both their team and the Av’s. Kudos to the Toronto announcers last night who said of the Smyth call, “I didn’t see anything there.” Also, they blasted the play of Clark and Raycroft and even of Toskala (GASP!) … if the “house station” guys would have done that, they would be fired this morning. Keep it real!

Hey Av’s fans, here is another piece of good news that I found on a South Carolina newspaper’s web page. The outlook only gets dimmer and dimmer for this season.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Peter Forsberg has ruled out a return to the NHL this season.

Forsberg told Sweden’s national broadcaster SVT on Friday that if he’s able to play at all, it will be for his hometown club Modo in the Swedish league.

“There won’t be any NHL this season, that’s totally clear,” Forsberg said. “If I can play it will be in the (Swedish) Elite Series and Modo.”

The injury-plagued forward has been back on the ice in recent weeks to test his ailing right foot.

Forsberg, 35, made a late-season return to the Colorado Avalanche last year, but injuries kept him out of half of the team’s final 18 regular season games and three of four games in the second round of the playoffs.

SVT reported that Forsberg had also declined a spot on Sweden’s national team for the LG Hockey Games tournament Feb. 5-8.

“I will be training with Modo during the national team break and I hope to make a decision after that,” Forsberg said. “Modo understands that I’m still not sure I can play, but the foot feels better today than it did at the start of the week.”

Forsberg won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche and was the NHL’s MVP in 2003

rogerk

Hey Av’s fans, here is another piece of good news that I found on a South Carolina newspaper’s web page. The outlook only gets dimmer and dimmer for this season.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Peter Forsberg has ruled out a return to the NHL this season.

Forsberg told Sweden’s national broadcaster SVT on Friday that if he’s able to play at all, it will be for his hometown club Modo in the Swedish league.

“There won’t be any NHL this season, that’s totally clear,” Forsberg said. “If I can play it will be in the (Swedish) Elite Series and Modo.”

The injury-plagued forward has been back on the ice in recent weeks to test his ailing right foot.

Forsberg, 35, made a late-season return to the Colorado Avalanche last year, but injuries kept him out of half of the team’s final 18 regular season games and three of four games in the second round of the playoffs.

SVT reported that Forsberg had also declined a spot on Sweden’s national team for the LG Hockey Games tournament Feb. 5-8.

“I will be training with Modo during the national team break and I hope to make a decision after that,” Forsberg said. “Modo understands that I’m still not sure I can play, but the foot feels better today than it did at the start of the week.”

Forsberg won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche and was the NHL’s MVP in 2003

rogerk

Hey Av’s fans, here is another piece of good news that I found on a South Carolina newspaper’s web page. The outlook only gets dimmer and dimmer for this season.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Peter Forsberg has ruled out a return to the NHL this season.

Forsberg told Sweden’s national broadcaster SVT on Friday that if he’s able to play at all, it will be for his hometown club Modo in the Swedish league.

“There won’t be any NHL this season, that’s totally clear,” Forsberg said. “If I can play it will be in the (Swedish) Elite Series and Modo.”

The injury-plagued forward has been back on the ice in recent weeks to test his ailing right foot.

Forsberg, 35, made a late-season return to the Colorado Avalanche last year, but injuries kept him out of half of the team’s final 18 regular season games and three of four games in the second round of the playoffs.

SVT reported that Forsberg had also declined a spot on Sweden’s national team for the LG Hockey Games tournament Feb. 5-8.

“I will be training with Modo during the national team break and I hope to make a decision after that,” Forsberg said. “Modo understands that I’m still not sure I can play, but the foot feels better today than it did at the start of the week.”

Forsberg won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche and was the NHL’s MVP in 2003

AvsFan

FIRE GRANATO, FIRE GIGUERE, problem solved….

AvsFan

FIRE GRANATO, FIRE GIGUERE, problem solved….

AvsFan

FIRE GRANATO, FIRE GIGUERE, problem solved….

Todd

As I’ve said, bad teams find a way to lose. So now that Foppa and Sakic are essentially retired, can we start to focus on the future, Quebec Nordiques style?

Todd

As I’ve said, bad teams find a way to lose. So now that Foppa and Sakic are essentially retired, can we start to focus on the future, Quebec Nordiques style?

Todd

As I’ve said, bad teams find a way to lose. So now that Foppa and Sakic are essentially retired, can we start to focus on the future, Quebec Nordiques style?

EJT

You can fire Mike Haynes while we’re at it. That guy is just plain brutal to listen to. Take a report Haynes, you’re done.

EJT

You can fire Mike Haynes while we’re at it. That guy is just plain brutal to listen to. Take a report Haynes, you’re done.

Michael

Amen! I think this game finished the season for me. Adios Avs, see you in October! this ship has sank.

Michael

Amen! I think this game finished the season for me. Adios Avs, see you in October! this ship has sank.

Pruitt Igoe

Why isn’t Tyler Weiman being given a serious NHL look?

Pruitt Igoe

Why isn’t Tyler Weiman being given a serious NHL look?

Expuffin

Your a Pig.

Expuffin

Your a Pig.

Brendan Toniolo

I agree completely on this Adrian. I think out of all the years of reading your blogs you have never been as accurate as you have been this season.

Smyth and Hejduk are the only guys showing up every night.

We can blame it on injuries, we can blame it on the bad call last night but there is nothing we can say about our two goalies. I have seen some bad goalies also being a Nordiques fan when the francise was in Quebec but this season I have to say, I have seen some of the worst performances ever. We do not need to be brilliant one game and horrible the next, can’t we get a goalie that can just be consistent?

As for Arnason, I am at a loss for words with this guy. Does he even enjoy the game of hockey? I have never watched a player with such little interest in the game as this guy. I can handle watching someone with little talent but works hard and gets the job done but this guy is loaded with talent and yet never wants to play.

If you do not like the game Arny please do us all a favor and quit.

Brendan Toniolo

I agree completely on this Adrian. I think out of all the years of reading your blogs you have never been as accurate as you have been this season.

Smyth and Hejduk are the only guys showing up every night.

We can blame it on injuries, we can blame it on the bad call last night but there is nothing we can say about our two goalies. I have seen some bad goalies also being a Nordiques fan when the francise was in Quebec but this season I have to say, I have seen some of the worst performances ever. We do not need to be brilliant one game and horrible the next, can’t we get a goalie that can just be consistent?

As for Arnason, I am at a loss for words with this guy. Does he even enjoy the game of hockey? I have never watched a player with such little interest in the game as this guy. I can handle watching someone with little talent but works hard and gets the job done but this guy is loaded with talent and yet never wants to play.

If you do not like the game Arny please do us all a favor and quit.

Brendan Toniolo

I agree completely on this Adrian. I think out of all the years of reading your blogs you have never been as accurate as you have been this season.

Smyth and Hejduk are the only guys showing up every night.

We can blame it on injuries, we can blame it on the bad call last night but there is nothing we can say about our two goalies. I have seen some bad goalies also being a Nordiques fan when the francise was in Quebec but this season I have to say, I have seen some of the worst performances ever. We do not need to be brilliant one game and horrible the next, can’t we get a goalie that can just be consistent?

As for Arnason, I am at a loss for words with this guy. Does he even enjoy the game of hockey? I have never watched a player with such little interest in the game as this guy. I can handle watching someone with little talent but works hard and gets the job done but this guy is loaded with talent and yet never wants to play.

If you do not like the game Arny please do us all a favor and quit.

Casimir Pulaski

I believe all Avs fans are extremely frustrated right now, and rightfully so…Would it be fair to ask management to mortgage a bit of the future (a prospect and a draft pick) for a solid starting goaltender right now? I would really like to know exactly what F.G. and his cronies are saying over Kool-aid right now. Actually, no I would not, because as Granato so eloquently pointed out a few weeks ago, “the fans have a right to see what they see and as far as making a trade, there is just nothing there right now.” Right, Tony Bologna. Avs fans: Keep leaving those seats empty at the can, management will eventually get the message – one final note; we can forget about Foppa coming back, why would he want to join this losing mentality?

Casimir Pulaski

I believe all Avs fans are extremely frustrated right now, and rightfully so…Would it be fair to ask management to mortgage a bit of the future (a prospect and a draft pick) for a solid starting goaltender right now? I would really like to know exactly what F.G. and his cronies are saying over Kool-aid right now. Actually, no I would not, because as Granato so eloquently pointed out a few weeks ago, “the fans have a right to see what they see and as far as making a trade, there is just nothing there right now.” Right, Tony Bologna. Avs fans: Keep leaving those seats empty at the can, management will eventually get the message – one final note; we can forget about Foppa coming back, why would he want to join this losing mentality?

STB

The season is officially over. Forsberg announced he will not be back this year. Its time to go for the No.1 or No. 2 draft pick. Tank the rest of the season. Get rid of Salei, Arnasson, Tucker, Hannan, I’ve never seen a team have such difficulty getting the puck out of our zone. Its disgusting!

STB

The season is officially over. Forsberg announced he will not be back this year. Its time to go for the No.1 or No. 2 draft pick. Tank the rest of the season. Get rid of Salei, Arnasson, Tucker, Hannan, I’ve never seen a team have such difficulty getting the puck out of our zone. Its disgusting!

Rachel

Adrian, I love the line the “Donut line” I think that’s unfortunately a perfect description of them. As much as a lot of people would love to put all the blame on Raycroft, we played like bunch of ants having hot water poured on them. THey were all over the ice but there was no order to it. The 7th goal went off of Liles straight into the net.

Now I will not be one of those crazy fans that says Raycroft was amazing, perfect, blah blah blah. He certainly had one of his worse nights and I think that playing Toronto got into his head unfortunately. The reason I stick with Rayzor is in between the goals, he made some outstanding saves. There was one time in the 2nd period where he made something like 5 saves on rapid fire shots but the shot count only went up by 1.

So what do we need to do?

1. Trade Budaj or send him to the minors. Raycroft needs to feel like the team’s fortunes rest entirely with him. He is our #1 guy and we’ll stick with him if he has a bad game, as long as he comes back stronger the next game. Unfortunately, Granato will probably get a case of Quennevillitus and put Budaj in next game.

2. Get rid of Arnason. He may be a nice guy, but he does nothing on the ice and i’d rather see players playing with passion like the Codys.

3. In practice, tell the guys to shoot and not pass so much. Also have them watch Miracle and learn from Brooks that it doesn’t work to have four of your five guys fighting for the puck along the boards.

4. Have management offer better ticket prices or even (gasp) free tickets to get fans in the door. When the building is half empty, or at least feels that way, there is no energy and I’m sure the players feel that too.

5. Be patient.

Rachel

Adrian, I love the line the “Donut line” I think that’s unfortunately a perfect description of them. As much as a lot of people would love to put all the blame on Raycroft, we played like bunch of ants having hot water poured on them. THey were all over the ice but there was no order to it. The 7th goal went off of Liles straight into the net.

Now I will not be one of those crazy fans that says Raycroft was amazing, perfect, blah blah blah. He certainly had one of his worse nights and I think that playing Toronto got into his head unfortunately. The reason I stick with Rayzor is in between the goals, he made some outstanding saves. There was one time in the 2nd period where he made something like 5 saves on rapid fire shots but the shot count only went up by 1.

So what do we need to do?

1. Trade Budaj or send him to the minors. Raycroft needs to feel like the team’s fortunes rest entirely with him. He is our #1 guy and we’ll stick with him if he has a bad game, as long as he comes back stronger the next game. Unfortunately, Granato will probably get a case of Quennevillitus and put Budaj in next game.

2. Get rid of Arnason. He may be a nice guy, but he does nothing on the ice and i’d rather see players playing with passion like the Codys.

3. In practice, tell the guys to shoot and not pass so much. Also have them watch Miracle and learn from Brooks that it doesn’t work to have four of your five guys fighting for the puck along the boards.

4. Have management offer better ticket prices or even (gasp) free tickets to get fans in the door. When the building is half empty, or at least feels that way, there is no energy and I’m sure the players feel that too.

5. Be patient.

ty970

Thanks for calling out the organization of some of their faults AD. However, I don’t quite agree with your statement that Smitty and Duke are the only ones bringing it every night.

-Wolski has at least worked hard, and while the production numbers aren’t there every night, he still has moments of brilliance, like making a steal behind our own net and skating it out of the zone by himself, before making a pretty pass to enter the offensive zone.

-Also, Chris Stewart has been a VERY pleasant surprise, kind of like David Jones last season, consistently hard working, finishes checks, first to the puck, tough down in the corner, and ready to step into a fight to rally the team at any time, I really hope he doesn’t get reassigned.

-McLeod is another one of the few who seems to be playing to win each night. His numbers impress me the most of anyone on the team this season. (Tied w/ Wolski for 3rd most goals on the team, and leads the team in hits) He also seems to hate losing as much as St. Patty, something I know the team fed off of back in the day, but I can’t figure out why they dont now.

-Svatos, while he hasn’t really been effective in the offensive zone, it’s hard to blame him… He’s agile, but he’s not the fastest guy on the team. For Svatos to be productive he really needs a Forsberg or a Stastny on his line to set him up in front net so he can make the quick move to fake the goalie/defensemen or both before taking the shot. Which is hard to do playing on a line with Tyler ( Lost the puck AGAIN) Arnason, and Cody (I’ll take the guy in the corner you get the puck) McLeod

But like you said in your previous update, there’s hope for the future, maybe even this season…

All that has to be done? waive Tucker and Arnason, sign Foppa… NO TRADES NESSECARY… maybe that’s what management is waiting for… we can only hope anyway

ty970

Thanks for calling out the organization of some of their faults AD. However, I don’t quite agree with your statement that Smitty and Duke are the only ones bringing it every night.

-Wolski has at least worked hard, and while the production numbers aren’t there every night, he still has moments of brilliance, like making a steal behind our own net and skating it out of the zone by himself, before making a pretty pass to enter the offensive zone.

-Also, Chris Stewart has been a VERY pleasant surprise, kind of like David Jones last season, consistently hard working, finishes checks, first to the puck, tough down in the corner, and ready to step into a fight to rally the team at any time, I really hope he doesn’t get reassigned.

-McLeod is another one of the few who seems to be playing to win each night. His numbers impress me the most of anyone on the team this season. (Tied w/ Wolski for 3rd most goals on the team, and leads the team in hits) He also seems to hate losing as much as St. Patty, something I know the team fed off of back in the day, but I can’t figure out why they dont now.

-Svatos, while he hasn’t really been effective in the offensive zone, it’s hard to blame him… He’s agile, but he’s not the fastest guy on the team. For Svatos to be productive he really needs a Forsberg or a Stastny on his line to set him up in front net so he can make the quick move to fake the goalie/defensemen or both before taking the shot. Which is hard to do playing on a line with Tyler ( Lost the puck AGAIN) Arnason, and Cody (I’ll take the guy in the corner you get the puck) McLeod

But like you said in your previous update, there’s hope for the future, maybe even this season…

All that has to be done? waive Tucker and Arnason, sign Foppa… NO TRADES NESSECARY… maybe that’s what management is waiting for… we can only hope anyway

Fletch

Forsberg could smell the stink from Sweden. He wants none of it and has given up any chance of returning to the NHL this season. My heart… it breaks. Season’s pretty much over.

Fletch

Forsberg could smell the stink from Sweden. He wants none of it and has given up any chance of returning to the NHL this season. My heart… it breaks. Season’s pretty much over.

Dario

I know you’re not going to get off your Theo opinion, but I think that’s the weakest of your critisms by far. Theo still has a save % below .900 and a GAA of 2.81. He benefits from a team that’s giving him an average of 3.12 goals per game. If the Avalanche scored over three goals per game on average then Budaj or Rycroft would have winning records. Theo is in the same position as Rycroft in Toronto when he won 37 games. Every Leaf fan can attest to how bad he was despite his win/loss record. The sigh of relief from Avs management with Theo is that he lost his hot streak going in to last year and the playoffs and he’s proven he’s injury prone. Not the kind of guy you want to give an extra year of starting goaltender salary at his age. There are plenty of critisms for Avalanche management but Theo isn’t one of them. Raycroft wasn’t brought in essentially to replace Theo. Budaj was supposed to turn the corner this year and be the starter. He was supposed to break out under a coach that was commited to him and a positive ‘player coach’. That clearly hasn’t happened, Budaj isn’t reacting any differently in this environment than he did with the goalie circus and dog house philosphies of coach Q.

We can point at a lot of issues this year. I know we have issues with forwards and there’s no doubt that Tucker and Arnason along with injuries are a big part of it. However, the biggest disapointment to me is how the defense has played. Going in to this season it was the one piece of the Avalanche that was supposed to be not just solid, but perhaps one of the strongest units in the entire NHL. I don’t know if it’s Cloutier or the talent but they’ve been mediocre at best and so bad the goalies never stood a chance at worst. Leopold is a good trade canidate because of his contract but Clark is really the guy that has to find a new home. He’s got karlis Skrastins disease. He’s giving space to every puck carrier taking the zone and he’s giving forwards all kinds of room to make plays. His turnover for the Blake goal last night was way too arrogant a move for a team that’s given up 4 goals. He demonstrated a lack of understanding the game situation and took a risk that was completely inappropriate for that stage of the game. Mistakes are fine, but you have to know when passes up the middle and chips up the side boards are appropriate moves.

I don’t think the Avs need to concentrate on size. Detroit, Boston (with one huge exception) and Chicago win plenty of games with average to smaller sized players. Anaheim and San Jose certainly get some attention for their larger line-ups but size, Euro’s vs. North Americans and trap vs puck possession commitments are very trendy. The Avs need to concentrate on using the best players available. That means sitting Tucker, Arnason, Clark or Budaj so other guys like Durno, Dupuis, Weiman and Cumiskey can help this team get better. They need to ignore the contracts and the age and use the best player available. The best player being the one based on current performance and not potential or past performance. This is the NHL and it’s not development time nor rehabilitation time. It’s the pinnacle of hockey and it’s all about winning.

Listening to Granato on the coaches show this morning, he sounds depressed. If he needs ideas he should start with slaughtering every sacred cow in that lockeroom.

Dario

I know you’re not going to get off your Theo opinion, but I think that’s the weakest of your critisms by far. Theo still has a save % below .900 and a GAA of 2.81. He benefits from a team that’s giving him an average of 3.12 goals per game. If the Avalanche scored over three goals per game on average then Budaj or Rycroft would have winning records. Theo is in the same position as Rycroft in Toronto when he won 37 games. Every Leaf fan can attest to how bad he was despite his win/loss record. The sigh of relief from Avs management with Theo is that he lost his hot streak going in to last year and the playoffs and he’s proven he’s injury prone. Not the kind of guy you want to give an extra year of starting goaltender salary at his age. There are plenty of critisms for Avalanche management but Theo isn’t one of them. Raycroft wasn’t brought in essentially to replace Theo. Budaj was supposed to turn the corner this year and be the starter. He was supposed to break out under a coach that was commited to him and a positive ‘player coach’. That clearly hasn’t happened, Budaj isn’t reacting any differently in this environment than he did with the goalie circus and dog house philosphies of coach Q.

We can point at a lot of issues this year. I know we have issues with forwards and there’s no doubt that Tucker and Arnason along with injuries are a big part of it. However, the biggest disapointment to me is how the defense has played. Going in to this season it was the one piece of the Avalanche that was supposed to be not just solid, but perhaps one of the strongest units in the entire NHL. I don’t know if it’s Cloutier or the talent but they’ve been mediocre at best and so bad the goalies never stood a chance at worst. Leopold is a good trade canidate because of his contract but Clark is really the guy that has to find a new home. He’s got karlis Skrastins disease. He’s giving space to every puck carrier taking the zone and he’s giving forwards all kinds of room to make plays. His turnover for the Blake goal last night was way too arrogant a move for a team that’s given up 4 goals. He demonstrated a lack of understanding the game situation and took a risk that was completely inappropriate for that stage of the game. Mistakes are fine, but you have to know when passes up the middle and chips up the side boards are appropriate moves.

I don’t think the Avs need to concentrate on size. Detroit, Boston (with one huge exception) and Chicago win plenty of games with average to smaller sized players. Anaheim and San Jose certainly get some attention for their larger line-ups but size, Euro’s vs. North Americans and trap vs puck possession commitments are very trendy. The Avs need to concentrate on using the best players available. That means sitting Tucker, Arnason, Clark or Budaj so other guys like Durno, Dupuis, Weiman and Cumiskey can help this team get better. They need to ignore the contracts and the age and use the best player available. The best player being the one based on current performance and not potential or past performance. This is the NHL and it’s not development time nor rehabilitation time. It’s the pinnacle of hockey and it’s all about winning.

Listening to Granato on the coaches show this morning, he sounds depressed. If he needs ideas he should start with slaughtering every sacred cow in that lockeroom.

ty970

My bad, just read Foppa isn’t coming back this season… maybe these lines would work instead

Smyth – Wolski – Duke
Hensick – Stastny – Svatos

or maybe flip Wolski and Stastny around to give the Hensick Svatos line more size… but seriously, as long as Tucker and Arnason aren’t playing… we should be able to create some decent lines

ty970

My bad, just read Foppa isn’t coming back this season… maybe these lines would work instead

Smyth – Wolski – Duke
Hensick – Stastny – Svatos

or maybe flip Wolski and Stastny around to give the Hensick Svatos line more size… but seriously, as long as Tucker and Arnason aren’t playing… we should be able to create some decent lines

ty970

My bad, just read Foppa isn’t coming back this season… maybe these lines would work instead

Smyth – Wolski – Duke
Hensick – Stastny – Svatos

or maybe flip Wolski and Stastny around to give the Hensick Svatos line more size… but seriously, as long as Tucker and Arnason aren’t playing… we should be able to create some decent lines

jimbo

Dater wrote:

“I still haven’t gotten a good explanation from anybody why a team that overpaid and tolerated and nurtured and finally rehabilitated a goalie (Theodore) back to his old self suddenly got all concerned about a million dollars a year – the amount over a two-year deal it would have taken to keep him – and cut him loose.”

#1: Theodore was indeed back to his “old self:” frustratingly inconsistent and extremely overpaid. He’s merely highly overpaid at his current salary. The Avs had blown enough money on this guy… he’s barely a starting goalie in this league, to say nothing of an elite one. The Avs made a good decision to not re-sign him.

#2: The only reason Theodore’s win percentage is better than the Avs goalies’ is that he is on a MUCH better team. He’s still the same goalie, good/bordering on brilliant for a two or three game stretch, then bad/bordering on awful for a stretch of games. Budaj and Raycroft have not been an upgrade in net by any means, but they’ve been a helluva lot cheaper. There is certainly plenty of room to criticize the Avs management over the direction this team has taken, but passing on Theodore was the right move at the time, and it still is.

Forsberg won’t be back… I’m surprised there’s no info on this announcement yet on the DP site.

jimbo

Dater wrote:

“I still haven’t gotten a good explanation from anybody why a team that overpaid and tolerated and nurtured and finally rehabilitated a goalie (Theodore) back to his old self suddenly got all concerned about a million dollars a year – the amount over a two-year deal it would have taken to keep him – and cut him loose.”

#1: Theodore was indeed back to his “old self:” frustratingly inconsistent and extremely overpaid. He’s merely highly overpaid at his current salary. The Avs had blown enough money on this guy… he’s barely a starting goalie in this league, to say nothing of an elite one. The Avs made a good decision to not re-sign him.

#2: The only reason Theodore’s win percentage is better than the Avs goalies’ is that he is on a MUCH better team. He’s still the same goalie, good/bordering on brilliant for a two or three game stretch, then bad/bordering on awful for a stretch of games. Budaj and Raycroft have not been an upgrade in net by any means, but they’ve been a helluva lot cheaper. There is certainly plenty of room to criticize the Avs management over the direction this team has taken, but passing on Theodore was the right move at the time, and it still is.

Forsberg won’t be back… I’m surprised there’s no info on this announcement yet on the DP site.

jimbo

Dater wrote:

“I still haven’t gotten a good explanation from anybody why a team that overpaid and tolerated and nurtured and finally rehabilitated a goalie (Theodore) back to his old self suddenly got all concerned about a million dollars a year – the amount over a two-year deal it would have taken to keep him – and cut him loose.”

#1: Theodore was indeed back to his “old self:” frustratingly inconsistent and extremely overpaid. He’s merely highly overpaid at his current salary. The Avs had blown enough money on this guy… he’s barely a starting goalie in this league, to say nothing of an elite one. The Avs made a good decision to not re-sign him.

#2: The only reason Theodore’s win percentage is better than the Avs goalies’ is that he is on a MUCH better team. He’s still the same goalie, good/bordering on brilliant for a two or three game stretch, then bad/bordering on awful for a stretch of games. Budaj and Raycroft have not been an upgrade in net by any means, but they’ve been a helluva lot cheaper. There is certainly plenty of room to criticize the Avs management over the direction this team has taken, but passing on Theodore was the right move at the time, and it still is.

Forsberg won’t be back… I’m surprised there’s no info on this announcement yet on the DP site.

Aaron

AD – This is a fantastic piece of writing. Goaltending is a huge concern, but I don’t see a lot of goaltenders out there to trade for.
Last night’s loss was the same old thing for the Avs, they can’t clear their own zone. There was one play in the 2nd period where the Leafs dumped the puck into the zone for a change, we had two D back and Lappy, and everyone just stood around expecting someone else to get the puck. A fresh leaf’s line jumped in, took the puck and had a great scoring chance. The Avs just seem to be standing around in their own zone.

Aaron

AD – This is a fantastic piece of writing. Goaltending is a huge concern, but I don’t see a lot of goaltenders out there to trade for.
Last night’s loss was the same old thing for the Avs, they can’t clear their own zone. There was one play in the 2nd period where the Leafs dumped the puck into the zone for a change, we had two D back and Lappy, and everyone just stood around expecting someone else to get the puck. A fresh leaf’s line jumped in, took the puck and had a great scoring chance. The Avs just seem to be standing around in their own zone.

Aaron

AD – This is a fantastic piece of writing. Goaltending is a huge concern, but I don’t see a lot of goaltenders out there to trade for.
Last night’s loss was the same old thing for the Avs, they can’t clear their own zone. There was one play in the 2nd period where the Leafs dumped the puck into the zone for a change, we had two D back and Lappy, and everyone just stood around expecting someone else to get the puck. A fresh leaf’s line jumped in, took the puck and had a great scoring chance. The Avs just seem to be standing around in their own zone.

rtl

Face it, the Av’s are going to be sellers this season. I can’t see why they’d trade anyone for help if they’re not going to make the playoffs. They should free up salary room, and plan for next season. Giguere needs to ask himself if he can do this job…stay competitive in today’s NHL. Other teams can do it, why not the Avs? They need a strong or at the very least a consistent goalie, and rid themselves of dead weight (Arnason?).

rtl

Face it, the Av’s are going to be sellers this season. I can’t see why they’d trade anyone for help if they’re not going to make the playoffs. They should free up salary room, and plan for next season. Giguere needs to ask himself if he can do this job…stay competitive in today’s NHL. Other teams can do it, why not the Avs? They need a strong or at the very least a consistent goalie, and rid themselves of dead weight (Arnason?).

rtl

Face it, the Av’s are going to be sellers this season. I can’t see why they’d trade anyone for help if they’re not going to make the playoffs. They should free up salary room, and plan for next season. Giguere needs to ask himself if he can do this job…stay competitive in today’s NHL. Other teams can do it, why not the Avs? They need a strong or at the very least a consistent goalie, and rid themselves of dead weight (Arnason?).

Bummed

Dater – I agree that the Avs lack size, scoring and a NHL goalie of any kind. But please, check the stats before you cry over spilled milk. Theodore’s stats – GAA 2.81, Save Percentage 89.8. Budaj’s stats – GAA 2.91, save percentage 89.9. So for several million more, we could have had a goalie that lets in one tenth less goals per game, and makes one tenth less saves per game.

Bummed

Dater – I agree that the Avs lack size, scoring and a NHL goalie of any kind. But please, check the stats before you cry over spilled milk. Theodore’s stats – GAA 2.81, Save Percentage 89.8. Budaj’s stats – GAA 2.91, save percentage 89.9. So for several million more, we could have had a goalie that lets in one tenth less goals per game, and makes one tenth less saves per game.

Bummed

Dater – I agree that the Avs lack size, scoring and a NHL goalie of any kind. But please, check the stats before you cry over spilled milk. Theodore’s stats – GAA 2.81, Save Percentage 89.8. Budaj’s stats – GAA 2.91, save percentage 89.9. So for several million more, we could have had a goalie that lets in one tenth less goals per game, and makes one tenth less saves per game.

Father

First of all- quit saying Theo is back to his old self, he still stinks, he is just benefitting from a team that scores a lot. He was never revived and the only thing I am upset about seeing him go is that we got nothing in return.
Second, this Avs team is done for this year. They dont want it, its obvious. The only questions now are, who is going to be traded, and what do we do for next year. Basically we need an entire overhaul. Granato and FG need to go, lets bring in Tortorella. We need to adress goaltending, PK, PP, and we need to dump all these 4th liners, Arnason, Tucker, one of the Codys and at least one of the 3 d-men mentioned above. Its a tall task and one that I dont see happening overnight.

Father

First of all- quit saying Theo is back to his old self, he still stinks, he is just benefitting from a team that scores a lot. He was never revived and the only thing I am upset about seeing him go is that we got nothing in return.
Second, this Avs team is done for this year. They dont want it, its obvious. The only questions now are, who is going to be traded, and what do we do for next year. Basically we need an entire overhaul. Granato and FG need to go, lets bring in Tortorella. We need to adress goaltending, PK, PP, and we need to dump all these 4th liners, Arnason, Tucker, one of the Codys and at least one of the 3 d-men mentioned above. Its a tall task and one that I dont see happening overnight.

Father

First of all- quit saying Theo is back to his old self, he still stinks, he is just benefitting from a team that scores a lot. He was never revived and the only thing I am upset about seeing him go is that we got nothing in return.
Second, this Avs team is done for this year. They dont want it, its obvious. The only questions now are, who is going to be traded, and what do we do for next year. Basically we need an entire overhaul. Granato and FG need to go, lets bring in Tortorella. We need to adress goaltending, PK, PP, and we need to dump all these 4th liners, Arnason, Tucker, one of the Codys and at least one of the 3 d-men mentioned above. Its a tall task and one that I dont see happening overnight.

Phrish

Quote:
whatever line Arnason is centering should be nicknamed the “Donut Line”, because he’s the hole in the middle. It’s just beyond the point of reason anymore with his situation.

You can also call it the “donut line” ‘cuz he donut score. ;-)

Phrish

Quote:
whatever line Arnason is centering should be nicknamed the “Donut Line”, because he’s the hole in the middle. It’s just beyond the point of reason anymore with his situation.

You can also call it the “donut line” ‘cuz he donut score. ;-)

Phrish

Quote:
whatever line Arnason is centering should be nicknamed the “Donut Line”, because he’s the hole in the middle. It’s just beyond the point of reason anymore with his situation.

You can also call it the “donut line” ‘cuz he donut score. ;-)

BiB

This team is done. And Forsberg knows it too, as he has decided to stay in Sweden this year. If ownership doesn’t do something here real soon, like can FG and Granato, I’m seriously going to consider not renewing my season tickets next year. This team is just painful to watch.

BiB

This team is done. And Forsberg knows it too, as he has decided to stay in Sweden this year. If ownership doesn’t do something here real soon, like can FG and Granato, I’m seriously going to consider not renewing my season tickets next year. This team is just painful to watch.

BiB

This team is done. And Forsberg knows it too, as he has decided to stay in Sweden this year. If ownership doesn’t do something here real soon, like can FG and Granato, I’m seriously going to consider not renewing my season tickets next year. This team is just painful to watch.

Kick

That game felt like the last nail in the coffin… Sickening mess!

Kick

That game felt like the last nail in the coffin… Sickening mess!

Kick

That game felt like the last nail in the coffin… Sickening mess!

AVSFAN

I hope this season ends soon, and I hope something gets done in the offseason!! If not I am done with this sorry team and their management!! This team is PATHETIC and I am happy that FORSBERG SAID NO THANKS!!!

AVSFAN

I hope this season ends soon, and I hope something gets done in the offseason!! If not I am done with this sorry team and their management!! This team is PATHETIC and I am happy that FORSBERG SAID NO THANKS!!!

AVSFAN

I hope this season ends soon, and I hope something gets done in the offseason!! If not I am done with this sorry team and their management!! This team is PATHETIC and I am happy that FORSBERG SAID NO THANKS!!!

Cody

Second highest ticket prices and no where near the top 50% in the league in terms of on ice product. That’s why there are 4,000 or more empty seats every night. It will only get worse next season if things don’t get fixed in a big big way.

The announced attendance of 15,216 last night has to be a lie. It was as empty as the night they barely had over 13,000.

Cody

Second highest ticket prices and no where near the top 50% in the league in terms of on ice product. That’s why there are 4,000 or more empty seats every night. It will only get worse next season if things don’t get fixed in a big big way.

The announced attendance of 15,216 last night has to be a lie. It was as empty as the night they barely had over 13,000.

Cody

Second highest ticket prices and no where near the top 50% in the league in terms of on ice product. That’s why there are 4,000 or more empty seats every night. It will only get worse next season if things don’t get fixed in a big big way.

The announced attendance of 15,216 last night has to be a lie. It was as empty as the night they barely had over 13,000.

Clyde

I totally agree with all the above by everyone . Stan & Pierre better get the hint that this Av’s team is like the Titanic when it hit the iceberg , this season is sunk . The fans will be staying away in droves ! The Av’s will be playing to half houses the rest of the year . I know the economy has hit everyone hard but with the 2nd highest ticket prices in the league no one is going to shell their hard earned money for a team that has not been put together very well and have mailed it in during a very important home stand . Most of the top teams in the NHL (prior to the salary cap) have adopted well to the salary cap except for us .
1) FG needs to go – This Bean Counter does not get it . I agree with him letting Theo go as everyone else has mentioned but other than Smyth (who
brings it w/ the Duke) has been a miss . I thought we were suppose to be an up tempo team this year ? No old time dump and chase hockey that coach Q had us play ? What ? Our style has not changed ? We have 2 Cody’s , Tucker , Lappy , Guite , etc. We have more grit than we know what to do with . Don’t
get me started on Arny , again , why he is in the lineup , I don’t know (those pictures must be incriminating) . I also agree the “D” has been very disappointing . Clark , Salei , Hannan have had bad years . We have no big shot from the blue line and our special teams are embarrassing !
AD – We do have some promising talent that is a way off but there is no Crosby , Ovo , in the bunch .
We need to blow this thing up and start over with new leadership at the GM spot and with a new head coach . tony looks like he has coached this bunch for 10 years already . FG – Not one other candidate was available for a interview ?

Clyde

I totally agree with all the above by everyone . Stan & Pierre better get the hint that this Av’s team is like the Titanic when it hit the iceberg , this season is sunk . The fans will be staying away in droves ! The Av’s will be playing to half houses the rest of the year . I know the economy has hit everyone hard but with the 2nd highest ticket prices in the league no one is going to shell their hard earned money for a team that has not been put together very well and have mailed it in during a very important home stand . Most of the top teams in the NHL (prior to the salary cap) have adopted well to the salary cap except for us .
1) FG needs to go – This Bean Counter does not get it . I agree with him letting Theo go as everyone else has mentioned but other than Smyth (who
brings it w/ the Duke) has been a miss . I thought we were suppose to be an up tempo team this year ? No old time dump and chase hockey that coach Q had us play ? What ? Our style has not changed ? We have 2 Cody’s , Tucker , Lappy , Guite , etc. We have more grit than we know what to do with . Don’t
get me started on Arny , again , why he is in the lineup , I don’t know (those pictures must be incriminating) . I also agree the “D” has been very disappointing . Clark , Salei , Hannan have had bad years . We have no big shot from the blue line and our special teams are embarrassing !
AD – We do have some promising talent that is a way off but there is no Crosby , Ovo , in the bunch .
We need to blow this thing up and start over with new leadership at the GM spot and with a new head coach . tony looks like he has coached this bunch for 10 years already . FG – Not one other candidate was available for a interview ?

Clyde

I totally agree with all the above by everyone . Stan & Pierre better get the hint that this Av’s team is like the Titanic when it hit the iceberg , this season is sunk . The fans will be staying away in droves ! The Av’s will be playing to half houses the rest of the year . I know the economy has hit everyone hard but with the 2nd highest ticket prices in the league no one is going to shell their hard earned money for a team that has not been put together very well and have mailed it in during a very important home stand . Most of the top teams in the NHL (prior to the salary cap) have adopted well to the salary cap except for us .
1) FG needs to go – This Bean Counter does not get it . I agree with him letting Theo go as everyone else has mentioned but other than Smyth (who
brings it w/ the Duke) has been a miss . I thought we were suppose to be an up tempo team this year ? No old time dump and chase hockey that coach Q had us play ? What ? Our style has not changed ? We have 2 Cody’s , Tucker , Lappy , Guite , etc. We have more grit than we know what to do with . Don’t
get me started on Arny , again , why he is in the lineup , I don’t know (those pictures must be incriminating) . I also agree the “D” has been very disappointing . Clark , Salei , Hannan have had bad years . We have no big shot from the blue line and our special teams are embarrassing !
AD – We do have some promising talent that is a way off but there is no Crosby , Ovo , in the bunch .
We need to blow this thing up and start over with new leadership at the GM spot and with a new head coach . tony looks like he has coached this bunch for 10 years already . FG – Not one other candidate was available for a interview ?

Dave

Theodore was not the answer – good riddance.

I saw him play in DC a couple of weeks ago against Edmonton, the Caps had 15+ shots in the first period against Edmonton’s 5 or 6 — the score? 3-1 Edmonton on three bad goals by Jose.

The Caps came back but a couple more softies by Jose did them in for the night.

Raycroft was horrible last night but Jose would not have made any difference this year.

Dave

Theodore was not the answer – good riddance.

I saw him play in DC a couple of weeks ago against Edmonton, the Caps had 15+ shots in the first period against Edmonton’s 5 or 6 — the score? 3-1 Edmonton on three bad goals by Jose.

The Caps came back but a couple more softies by Jose did them in for the night.

Raycroft was horrible last night but Jose would not have made any difference this year.

Dave

Theodore was not the answer – good riddance.

I saw him play in DC a couple of weeks ago against Edmonton, the Caps had 15+ shots in the first period against Edmonton’s 5 or 6 — the score? 3-1 Edmonton on three bad goals by Jose.

The Caps came back but a couple more softies by Jose did them in for the night.

Raycroft was horrible last night but Jose would not have made any difference this year.

Ken J.

Great picture AD. I remember watching that very games years ago. Classic.

Ken J.

Great picture AD. I remember watching that very games years ago. Classic.

Ken J.

Great picture AD. I remember watching that very games years ago. Classic.

FATS Thomas

How many times do we have to repeat ourselves? The Avalanche organization, since June 30th, have been nothing but the Titanic. F.G. keeps saying full speed ahead and Granato and his staff are the musicians playing the music as the freaking ship is sinking into oblivion.

After an obviously blown call by the ref on the interference by Smyth, the Avs had two choices. They could quit whining about it and play hockey, or they could complain and play like crap. They chose to whine and complain and as a result they got humiliated by the Leafs.

Raycroft was HORRIBLE, he couldn’t stop a freaking beach ball. The top line of Wolski, Milan, and Smyth was decent last night, but the play behind the net was due to the lack of hustle by Wolski, he was waiting for the puck to come out instead of throwing a nice check.

Here is my solution after losing last night’s game. First and foremost I would fire F.G., Granato, and the entire staff and start from scratch. Second, I would place Clark, Hensick, Arnason on the trading block. I would take whatever I could get for them and over the summer I would restructure the entire organization.

How can Kroenke Sports allow this scheme continue? It is a shame and this season has been absolutely a waste of time, energy, and money. I wanted to say something about the comment about Arnason being a donut, but I couldn’t come up with anything better and I’m laughing hysterically about it. You hit the nail on the head once again and it is freaking hilarious.

FATS Thomas

How many times do we have to repeat ourselves? The Avalanche organization, since June 30th, have been nothing but the Titanic. F.G. keeps saying full speed ahead and Granato and his staff are the musicians playing the music as the freaking ship is sinking into oblivion.

After an obviously blown call by the ref on the interference by Smyth, the Avs had two choices. They could quit whining about it and play hockey, or they could complain and play like crap. They chose to whine and complain and as a result they got humiliated by the Leafs.

Raycroft was HORRIBLE, he couldn’t stop a freaking beach ball. The top line of Wolski, Milan, and Smyth was decent last night, but the play behind the net was due to the lack of hustle by Wolski, he was waiting for the puck to come out instead of throwing a nice check.

Here is my solution after losing last night’s game. First and foremost I would fire F.G., Granato, and the entire staff and start from scratch. Second, I would place Clark, Hensick, Arnason on the trading block. I would take whatever I could get for them and over the summer I would restructure the entire organization.

How can Kroenke Sports allow this scheme continue? It is a shame and this season has been absolutely a waste of time, energy, and money. I wanted to say something about the comment about Arnason being a donut, but I couldn’t come up with anything better and I’m laughing hysterically about it. You hit the nail on the head once again and it is freaking hilarious.

FATS Thomas

How many times do we have to repeat ourselves? The Avalanche organization, since June 30th, have been nothing but the Titanic. F.G. keeps saying full speed ahead and Granato and his staff are the musicians playing the music as the freaking ship is sinking into oblivion.

After an obviously blown call by the ref on the interference by Smyth, the Avs had two choices. They could quit whining about it and play hockey, or they could complain and play like crap. They chose to whine and complain and as a result they got humiliated by the Leafs.

Raycroft was HORRIBLE, he couldn’t stop a freaking beach ball. The top line of Wolski, Milan, and Smyth was decent last night, but the play behind the net was due to the lack of hustle by Wolski, he was waiting for the puck to come out instead of throwing a nice check.

Here is my solution after losing last night’s game. First and foremost I would fire F.G., Granato, and the entire staff and start from scratch. Second, I would place Clark, Hensick, Arnason on the trading block. I would take whatever I could get for them and over the summer I would restructure the entire organization.

How can Kroenke Sports allow this scheme continue? It is a shame and this season has been absolutely a waste of time, energy, and money. I wanted to say something about the comment about Arnason being a donut, but I couldn’t come up with anything better and I’m laughing hysterically about it. You hit the nail on the head once again and it is freaking hilarious.

Pat

Dario has the best post so far, IMHO. I don’t think we lack size as much as we lack the players to execute a puck possession, up tempo style. I am most disappointed with our defensemen. I truly believed that having 6 “good-not-great” defensmen would create a bit of synergy and we would have the ability to dictate a lot of the play with our good passing, good puckhandling, high IQ defensmen. Instead, they are looking overwhelmed for long stretches every game, even against a bad team like Toronto. Our inability to clear the puck is downright embarassing. Raycroft was bad last night, but Toronto was able to cycle again and again and again until they got off a good chance. I do wish AD could let go of the Theodore rant. The only way we should have re-signed him was for a one year deal. Otherwise, good riddance. We could have one mediocre goaltender at 4.5mm or two at about 1.5mm.

I disagree with the idea that there are only two players playing with high effort. I see quite a few guys playing hard, but we just don’t have enough talent right now to sustain good play and their confidence gets shot. Almost nobody can maintain high effort in the face of a losing cause and these guys are human. We’re short at least a couple of high quality players. Stas will help, Sakic would be nice, but it might be all over. Foote will be good to have back, but he’s no longer a difference maker (I will never get over the fact that we gave up the 18th pick for a 37 yr old defenseman not named Blake or Bourque). The bottom line is that this team needs to commit to the rebuilding process. I don’t want to lose Hejduk, but I think we need to listen to offers. I would also listen to offers for any of our defensmen

The fortunate thing is that we do have some young players who are playing well and contributing . If we were in a full fledged and acknowledged rebuilding mode, I think fans would have a lot of positives to look at. Management and many of the fans seem to have a problem accepting that rebuilding is pretty normal and natural. There’s only one team that has been able to avoid rebuilding and stay in the top echelon and I won’t mention them by name. My dream is that management will truly commit to the process and stop trying to prop this team up to barely make the playoffs. I fear that they will do as Casimir Pulaski requests and “mortgage a bit of the future (a prospect and a draft pick) for a solid starting goaltender right now.” This kind of thinking is exactly why our cupboards are bare these days. We’ve given up roughly half our first round picks this decade, that must stop now if we are to have a decent chance three to five years from now. I believe the consequences will be that we keep trying to cobble together a team with duct tape and bailing wire just to make the playoffs and we’ll have no chance to actually win a cup. We’ll be exactly like the Leafs are now. Last year is a perfect example. We made a couple trades to make a playoff push and it actually happened. It was fun and Kroenke Sports got to pocket some extra cash from the playoff games. What’s the hangover? The first one that comes to mind is that we don’t have Luca Sbisa. We would still have Adam Foote this season because he would have signed with us in the summer. We rented him for a playoff run for the cost of Luca Sbisa. I personally would prefer to have had a quality young defenseman who’s on the upswing and has a 15+ year career ahead of him over Adam Foote for 30 games, or whatever it was.

The Avs must commit to rebuilding. They should have begun two years ago, but since that is no longer an option, I vote that we begin now. We should also buy out Arnason’s contract yesterday. It’s over, the team would be better off without him.

Pat

Dario has the best post so far, IMHO. I don’t think we lack size as much as we lack the players to execute a puck possession, up tempo style. I am most disappointed with our defensemen. I truly believed that having 6 “good-not-great” defensmen would create a bit of synergy and we would have the ability to dictate a lot of the play with our good passing, good puckhandling, high IQ defensmen. Instead, they are looking overwhelmed for long stretches every game, even against a bad team like Toronto. Our inability to clear the puck is downright embarassing. Raycroft was bad last night, but Toronto was able to cycle again and again and again until they got off a good chance. I do wish AD could let go of the Theodore rant. The only way we should have re-signed him was for a one year deal. Otherwise, good riddance. We could have one mediocre goaltender at 4.5mm or two at about 1.5mm.

I disagree with the idea that there are only two players playing with high effort. I see quite a few guys playing hard, but we just don’t have enough talent right now to sustain good play and their confidence gets shot. Almost nobody can maintain high effort in the face of a losing cause and these guys are human. We’re short at least a couple of high quality players. Stas will help, Sakic would be nice, but it might be all over. Foote will be good to have back, but he’s no longer a difference maker (I will never get over the fact that we gave up the 18th pick for a 37 yr old defenseman not named Blake or Bourque). The bottom line is that this team needs to commit to the rebuilding process. I don’t want to lose Hejduk, but I think we need to listen to offers. I would also listen to offers for any of our defensmen

The fortunate thing is that we do have some young players who are playing well and contributing . If we were in a full fledged and acknowledged rebuilding mode, I think fans would have a lot of positives to look at. Management and many of the fans seem to have a problem accepting that rebuilding is pretty normal and natural. There’s only one team that has been able to avoid rebuilding and stay in the top echelon and I won’t mention them by name. My dream is that management will truly commit to the process and stop trying to prop this team up to barely make the playoffs. I fear that they will do as Casimir Pulaski requests and “mortgage a bit of the future (a prospect and a draft pick) for a solid starting goaltender right now.” This kind of thinking is exactly why our cupboards are bare these days. We’ve given up roughly half our first round picks this decade, that must stop now if we are to have a decent chance three to five years from now. I believe the consequences will be that we keep trying to cobble together a team with duct tape and bailing wire just to make the playoffs and we’ll have no chance to actually win a cup. We’ll be exactly like the Leafs are now. Last year is a perfect example. We made a couple trades to make a playoff push and it actually happened. It was fun and Kroenke Sports got to pocket some extra cash from the playoff games. What’s the hangover? The first one that comes to mind is that we don’t have Luca Sbisa. We would still have Adam Foote this season because he would have signed with us in the summer. We rented him for a playoff run for the cost of Luca Sbisa. I personally would prefer to have had a quality young defenseman who’s on the upswing and has a 15+ year career ahead of him over Adam Foote for 30 games, or whatever it was.

The Avs must commit to rebuilding. They should have begun two years ago, but since that is no longer an option, I vote that we begin now. We should also buy out Arnason’s contract yesterday. It’s over, the team would be better off without him.

Roy

Each night when I turn on the tube to watch an Avs game, I feel like this is deja vu all over again. We have some friendly kid in net who tries but gets crushed under the pressure, our defense fails to make the play down in front of the net, and our forwards stray as far from actually making contact with someone on the forecheck as they can. This team has talent problems to be sure, but lets not kid ourselves. They get out muscled, out hustled, and out “hearted” in virtually every battle. Watching San Jose can’t apply to every team, as they are clearly the biggest team in the league, but the Avs get pushed around by teams like Phoenix and Los Angeles for crying out loud! It was one thing when the Avs were actually winning and getting out hit in every game, but now they are a third tier team and still wont throw a check. This stems from the top down, as players who are known as hitters come here and all the sudden they no longer throw hits (examples: Blake, Tucker). I think as long as the “benevolent Pierre” has the owners ear, we will never see anything different. The only way forward is to fire EVERY executive and coach, then start culling players who don’t have the talent, or more importantly, the desire to play at high level.

Roy

Each night when I turn on the tube to watch an Avs game, I feel like this is deja vu all over again. We have some friendly kid in net who tries but gets crushed under the pressure, our defense fails to make the play down in front of the net, and our forwards stray as far from actually making contact with someone on the forecheck as they can. This team has talent problems to be sure, but lets not kid ourselves. They get out muscled, out hustled, and out “hearted” in virtually every battle. Watching San Jose can’t apply to every team, as they are clearly the biggest team in the league, but the Avs get pushed around by teams like Phoenix and Los Angeles for crying out loud! It was one thing when the Avs were actually winning and getting out hit in every game, but now they are a third tier team and still wont throw a check. This stems from the top down, as players who are known as hitters come here and all the sudden they no longer throw hits (examples: Blake, Tucker). I think as long as the “benevolent Pierre” has the owners ear, we will never see anything different. The only way forward is to fire EVERY executive and coach, then start culling players who don’t have the talent, or more importantly, the desire to play at high level.

Roy

Each night when I turn on the tube to watch an Avs game, I feel like this is deja vu all over again. We have some friendly kid in net who tries but gets crushed under the pressure, our defense fails to make the play down in front of the net, and our forwards stray as far from actually making contact with someone on the forecheck as they can. This team has talent problems to be sure, but lets not kid ourselves. They get out muscled, out hustled, and out “hearted” in virtually every battle. Watching San Jose can’t apply to every team, as they are clearly the biggest team in the league, but the Avs get pushed around by teams like Phoenix and Los Angeles for crying out loud! It was one thing when the Avs were actually winning and getting out hit in every game, but now they are a third tier team and still wont throw a check. This stems from the top down, as players who are known as hitters come here and all the sudden they no longer throw hits (examples: Blake, Tucker). I think as long as the “benevolent Pierre” has the owners ear, we will never see anything different. The only way forward is to fire EVERY executive and coach, then start culling players who don’t have the talent, or more importantly, the desire to play at high level.

Hammer

I like the donut moniker. There may be a line or two where the “half-eaten donut” may work, with a couple of holes.

I was more disgusted last night than after the Columbus game. The two number 12 teams trying to see who was worse.

I wonder if there is any meaning that Raycroft wasn’t pulled sometime during the game. Yeah, it was close for the most part, but anyone could see after the first goal, it was going to be a long night.

Did Granato finally give up on Raycroft last night? Did he give up on the season?

Raycroft has got to have pictures of somebody to be able to play goalie in the NHL. Shared with Arnison and Tucker. I would rather watch a kid from Lake Erie work his tail off and still lose games, than watch those losers.

One would think that Raycroft and Tucker would have been really worked up for the game, yet we got a dose of the same old stuff.

My highlight of the night was Smyth slamming the puck into the glass in disgust after the latest weak goal. I want to think he was aiming at Raycroft.

Now that we’re playing musical chairs with the goalie position, neither has any confidence, and that’s a big part of the game. I still think this should have been the make it or break it year for Budaj. Make him “the starter” giving Raycroft a back-to-back night here and there, and let him know that if he produces, he stays. If not, he’s gone.

Something has to change, and fast. I can’t take the mediocity (at best) any longer!

Hammer

I like the donut moniker. There may be a line or two where the “half-eaten donut” may work, with a couple of holes.

I was more disgusted last night than after the Columbus game. The two number 12 teams trying to see who was worse.

I wonder if there is any meaning that Raycroft wasn’t pulled sometime during the game. Yeah, it was close for the most part, but anyone could see after the first goal, it was going to be a long night.

Did Granato finally give up on Raycroft last night? Did he give up on the season?

Raycroft has got to have pictures of somebody to be able to play goalie in the NHL. Shared with Arnison and Tucker. I would rather watch a kid from Lake Erie work his tail off and still lose games, than watch those losers.

One would think that Raycroft and Tucker would have been really worked up for the game, yet we got a dose of the same old stuff.

My highlight of the night was Smyth slamming the puck into the glass in disgust after the latest weak goal. I want to think he was aiming at Raycroft.

Now that we’re playing musical chairs with the goalie position, neither has any confidence, and that’s a big part of the game. I still think this should have been the make it or break it year for Budaj. Make him “the starter” giving Raycroft a back-to-back night here and there, and let him know that if he produces, he stays. If not, he’s gone.

Something has to change, and fast. I can’t take the mediocity (at best) any longer!

Hammer

I like the donut moniker. There may be a line or two where the “half-eaten donut” may work, with a couple of holes.

I was more disgusted last night than after the Columbus game. The two number 12 teams trying to see who was worse.

I wonder if there is any meaning that Raycroft wasn’t pulled sometime during the game. Yeah, it was close for the most part, but anyone could see after the first goal, it was going to be a long night.

Did Granato finally give up on Raycroft last night? Did he give up on the season?

Raycroft has got to have pictures of somebody to be able to play goalie in the NHL. Shared with Arnison and Tucker. I would rather watch a kid from Lake Erie work his tail off and still lose games, than watch those losers.

One would think that Raycroft and Tucker would have been really worked up for the game, yet we got a dose of the same old stuff.

My highlight of the night was Smyth slamming the puck into the glass in disgust after the latest weak goal. I want to think he was aiming at Raycroft.

Now that we’re playing musical chairs with the goalie position, neither has any confidence, and that’s a big part of the game. I still think this should have been the make it or break it year for Budaj. Make him “the starter” giving Raycroft a back-to-back night here and there, and let him know that if he produces, he stays. If not, he’s gone.

Something has to change, and fast. I can’t take the mediocity (at best) any longer!

mrobuck

AD –

Most everything is pretty “dead on” – but gotta take issue with your Theo thoughts. Please watch some Caps games, and you’ll soon see why the Washington area is calling for Brent Johnson.

We’ve got goalie issues that’s for sure, but Theo would have just been the same as we have, no better no worse.

SO PLEASE go watch a Capital game before bringing up Theodore again.

mrobuck

AD –

Most everything is pretty “dead on” – but gotta take issue with your Theo thoughts. Please watch some Caps games, and you’ll soon see why the Washington area is calling for Brent Johnson.

We’ve got goalie issues that’s for sure, but Theo would have just been the same as we have, no better no worse.

SO PLEASE go watch a Capital game before bringing up Theodore again.

mrobuck

AD –

Most everything is pretty “dead on” – but gotta take issue with your Theo thoughts. Please watch some Caps games, and you’ll soon see why the Washington area is calling for Brent Johnson.

We’ve got goalie issues that’s for sure, but Theo would have just been the same as we have, no better no worse.

SO PLEASE go watch a Capital game before bringing up Theodore again.

Billy Pigeau

AD

I like the blog, i agree for the most part, and like the tone of it. This management team needs to get off their hands, and do what they can to improve this team.

IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH RIGHT NOW !

FG’s reasoning for not making any moves is a joke. He says it’s hard to trade in todays NHL, and with the cap, his hands are tied.

Isn’t that admitting you are not capable of doing the job at the NHL level?

I agree with letting your organizational depth plug some holes throughout the year, that’s the sign of a strong organization.
But when your two best players go down long term, you Must make a move to address that situation.

Could you see Ken Holland having Datsyuk and Zetterberg out 2 months and just stand pat, filling the holes with 2 players that couldn’t crack the line-up out of camp? NOT A CHANCE!

Capable GM’s find a way to improve the team.

Mr. Lacroix, PLEASE help end my frustration.

Billy Pigeau

AD

I like the blog, i agree for the most part, and like the tone of it. This management team needs to get off their hands, and do what they can to improve this team.

IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH RIGHT NOW !

FG’s reasoning for not making any moves is a joke. He says it’s hard to trade in todays NHL, and with the cap, his hands are tied.

Isn’t that admitting you are not capable of doing the job at the NHL level?

I agree with letting your organizational depth plug some holes throughout the year, that’s the sign of a strong organization.
But when your two best players go down long term, you Must make a move to address that situation.

Could you see Ken Holland having Datsyuk and Zetterberg out 2 months and just stand pat, filling the holes with 2 players that couldn’t crack the line-up out of camp? NOT A CHANCE!

Capable GM’s find a way to improve the team.

Mr. Lacroix, PLEASE help end my frustration.

Billy Pigeau

AD

I like the blog, i agree for the most part, and like the tone of it. This management team needs to get off their hands, and do what they can to improve this team.

IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH RIGHT NOW !

FG’s reasoning for not making any moves is a joke. He says it’s hard to trade in todays NHL, and with the cap, his hands are tied.

Isn’t that admitting you are not capable of doing the job at the NHL level?

I agree with letting your organizational depth plug some holes throughout the year, that’s the sign of a strong organization.
But when your two best players go down long term, you Must make a move to address that situation.

Could you see Ken Holland having Datsyuk and Zetterberg out 2 months and just stand pat, filling the holes with 2 players that couldn’t crack the line-up out of camp? NOT A CHANCE!

Capable GM’s find a way to improve the team.

Mr. Lacroix, PLEASE help end my frustration.

JW

wow, never thought id say it but the avs r starting to suck. im not even going to use other words, just cutting to the chase: THEY SUCK! as much as itd be nice to make a miracle comeback and make the playoffs it just isnt realistic anymore. dont get me wrong i support the team 100% and always will/have but i cannot keep telling myself that it is ok because it truely is not ok. IT IS TIME TO PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON! all i hope is that Sakic comes back next year and makes his last season a decent one, not this one…

JW

wow, never thought id say it but the avs r starting to suck. im not even going to use other words, just cutting to the chase: THEY SUCK! as much as itd be nice to make a miracle comeback and make the playoffs it just isnt realistic anymore. dont get me wrong i support the team 100% and always will/have but i cannot keep telling myself that it is ok because it truely is not ok. IT IS TIME TO PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON! all i hope is that Sakic comes back next year and makes his last season a decent one, not this one…

JW

wow, never thought id say it but the avs r starting to suck. im not even going to use other words, just cutting to the chase: THEY SUCK! as much as itd be nice to make a miracle comeback and make the playoffs it just isnt realistic anymore. dont get me wrong i support the team 100% and always will/have but i cannot keep telling myself that it is ok because it truely is not ok. IT IS TIME TO PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON! all i hope is that Sakic comes back next year and makes his last season a decent one, not this one…

Adrian Dater

Good comments folks

Adrian Dater

Good comments folks

Avalangelist

Well, I’ve built my bomb shelter. Its got food, water and enough classic avalanche video tapes to get me to June’s draft. The future is coming but I wish I had a time machine to get it here faster.

Avalangelist

Well, I’ve built my bomb shelter. Its got food, water and enough classic avalanche video tapes to get me to June’s draft. The future is coming but I wish I had a time machine to get it here faster.

Avalangelist

Well, I’ve built my bomb shelter. Its got food, water and enough classic avalanche video tapes to get me to June’s draft. The future is coming but I wish I had a time machine to get it here faster.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.